---
name: "Taika Waititi"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/taika-waititi"
fi1m_id: "taika-waititi"
imdb_id: "nm0169806"
tmdb_id: 55934
wikidata_id: "Q2388576"
roles: ["Director","Writer","Producer"]
born: "16 August 1975"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 15
average_fi1m_score: 64
average_as: "director"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-23T20:56:25.985539+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Taika Waititi

## Identity

Taika Waititi

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/taika-waititi
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** taika-waititi
- **IMDb ID:** nm0169806
- **TMDB ID:** 55934
- **Wikidata ID:** Q2388576
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taika_Waititi, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2388576, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0169806/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55934

Director and writer. Born 16 August 1975 in Wellington, New Zealand.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Writer, Producer
- **Born:** 16 August 1975, Wellington, New Zealand
- **Active:** 2007–present
- **Also known as:** Taika David Cohen
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 15: 5 acting, 9 directing, 1 writing
- **Frequently works with:** [Christopher Lee Yost](https://film.one/person/christopher-l-yost.md), [Iain Morris](https://film.one/person/iain-morris.md), [Carthew Neal](https://film.one/person/carthew-neal.md), [Chris Hemsworth](https://film.one/person/chris-hemsworth.md), [Garrett Basch](https://film.one/person/garrett-basch.md), [Jemaine Clement](https://film.one/person/jemaine-clement.md), [Kevin Feige](https://film.one/person/kevin-feige.md), [Rachel House](https://film.one/person/rachel-house.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 2 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 64, as director, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 84 (1), 2010s 74 (5), 2020s 59 (9)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 64 to 61 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 7, Drama 4, Action 2, Action & Adventure 2, Adventure 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,741m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taika_Waititi, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2388576, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0169806/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/55934

## Coming up

- *FING!* (2027-01-15), as The Viscount
- *Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory* (2027-11-05), as Willy Wonka (voice)

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Reservation Dogs*](https://film.one/tv/reservation-dogs.md) (86), [*The Mandalorian*](https://film.one/tv/the-mandalorian.md) (76), [*Thor: Ragnarok*](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md) (74), [*Free Guy*](https://film.one/film/free-guy.md) (67), [*Thor: Love and Thunder*](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md) (55), [*Next Goal Wins*](https://film.one/film/next-goal-wins.md) (50), [*LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian*](https://film.one/film/lego-star-wars-the-mandalorian.md) (48)
- **Apple TV:** [*Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender*](https://film.one/film/avatar-aang-the-last-airbender.md) (64), [*Time Bandits*](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md) (62)
- **HBO Max:** [*Flight of the Conchords*](https://film.one/tv/flight-of-the-conchords.md) (84)
- **Peacock:** [*Hunt for the Wilderpeople*](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Taika Waititi

> Taika Waititi makes warm comedies about people accustomed to being overlooked, and we rate him when he pays them proper attention. His later work too often interrupts them with jokes, sometimes delivered by Waititi himself.

In *Next Goal Wins* (2023), Waititi appears as a priest, introducing the story and returning to explain it. We laughed at his first appearance, then grew tired of the interruptions. The narration tells us things the picture could have shown. Waititi no longer always knows when to let other people hold our attention.

His first feature was *Eagle vs Shark* (2007), followed by the breakthrough *Boy* (2010). In *Boy* and *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), he gave outsiders the patient attention that *Next Goal Wins* withholds. Childhood, family and the need to belong are recurring concerns, and he is good at finding humour without dismissing the hurt. His loose, collaborative direction helps young and non-professional performers seem natural.

The shared work with Jemaine Clement matters here. Waititi wrote and directed for *Flight of the Conchords* (2007), whose songs make Bret McKenzie and Clement's deadpan performances funnier still. We recommend the series despite ordinary plots that sometimes take too long to reach the next number, though its strengths cannot simply be credited to one contributor. Clement also co-wrote and co-directed *What We Do in the Shadows* (2014) with Waititi, a vampire mockumentary built around deadpan ensemble comedy.

*Thor: Ragnarok* (2017) took his irreverence into a major franchise without losing his comic voice. From *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022) onwards, the jokes come faster and land less often. His habit of revising dialogue and encouraging improvisation can produce spontaneity, but it does not remove the need to decide which jokes a film can do without.

*Next Goal Wins* brings that problem back to an underdog story that ought to suit him. The script, written with Iain Morris, spends too much time on Michael Fassbender's aggrieved coach, Rongen, while the team slips out of sight. Kaimana's Jaiyah receives more care in the writing and gives the film its strongest reason to stay, but Waititi cannot leave the coach's troubles alone. We would start with *Boy* or *Hunt for the Wilderpeople*.

## Biography

Taika Waititi, also credited as Taika David Cohen, is a New Zealand director, screenwriter, producer and actor. He was born on 16 August 1975 in Wellington.

His feature films include *Boy* (2010), *What We Do in the Shadows* (2014), *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016) and *Jojo Rabbit* (2019), for which he received the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He has directed the Marvel films *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017) and *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022).

Waititi directed, co-wrote and produced *Next Goal Wins* (2023), in which he also appeared as an American Samoan priest.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (15)

### Performed in (5)

- *Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender* (2026), Fi1m 64, as Gorillavark (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/avatar-aang-the-last-airbender.md)
- *LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian* (2026), Fi1m 48, as IG-11 / IG-12 (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/lego-star-wars-the-mandalorian.md)
- *Free Guy* (2021), Fi1m 67, as Antwan — [page](https://film.one/film/free-guy.md)
- *What If...?* (2021), Fi1m 63, as Korg (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), Fi1m 79, as Korg (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-endgame.md)

### Directed (9) — the average rests on these

- *Klara and the Sun* (2026), Fi1m 34, Screenplay, Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/klara-and-the-sun.md)
- *Time Bandits* (2024), Fi1m 62, as Supreme Being — [page](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md)
- *Next Goal Wins* (2023), Fi1m 50, as American Samoan Priest — [page](https://film.one/film/next-goal-wins.md)
- *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022), Fi1m 55, as Korg / Old Kronan God (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md)
- *Jojo Rabbit* (2019), Fi1m 58, as Adolf — [page](https://film.one/film/jojo-rabbit.md)
- *The Mandalorian* (2019), Fi1m 76, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mandalorian.md)
- *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Korg (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md)
- *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), Fi1m 82, as Minister — [page](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md)
- *Flight of the Conchords* (2007), Fi1m 84, as Gypsy Kings Fan — [page](https://film.one/tv/flight-of-the-conchords.md)

### Wrote (1)

- *Reservation Dogs* (2021), Fi1m 86, Writer, Executive Producer, Creator — [page](https://film.one/tv/reservation-dogs.md)

## Complete filmography (88)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Charlie vs. the Chocolate Factory* (2027), as Willy Wonka (voice) · Executive Producer
- *FING!* (2027), as The Viscount
- *Klara and the Sun* (2026), Producer, Director, Screenplay — Fi1m 34, [page](https://film.one/film/klara-and-the-sun.md)
- *A Bit of Light* (2026), Executive Producer
- *Place to Be* (2026), as Nelson
- *LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian* (2026), as IG-11 / IG-12 (voice) — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/lego-star-wars-the-mandalorian.md)
- *The Wrong Girls* (2026), Thanks
- *Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender* (2026), as Gorillavark (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/avatar-aang-the-last-airbender.md)
- *Jail Time Records* (2026), Executive Producer
- *Imagine* (2026), as Zombie Taika (voice)
- *A Holiday Short: Best Christmas Ever* (2025), Director
- *Interior Chinatown* (2024), series, Executive Producer, Director
- *The Boy & the Octopus* (2024), Director
- *It's Florida, Man.* (2024), series, as Doctor Orlando
- *We Were Dangerous* (2024), Executive Producer
- *Time Bandits* (2024), series, as Supreme Being · Executive Producer, Writer, Director, Creator — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/tv/time-bandits-2024.md)
- *The Mountain* (2024), Executive Producer
- *Frybread Face and Me* (2023), Executive Producer
- *Next Goal Wins* (2023), as American Samoan Priest · Director, Screenplay, Producer — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/next-goal-wins.md)
- *A Good Person* (2023), Thanks
- *Red, White & Brass* (2023), Executive Producer
- *History of the World: Part II* (2023), series, as Sigmund Freud
- *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022), as Korg / Old Kronan God (voice) · Writer, Director — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md)
- *Lightyear* (2022), as Mo Morrison (voice)
- *Our Flag Means Death* (2022), series, as Edward Teach a.k.a. Blackbeard · Director, Executive Producer
- *The Electrical Life of Louis Wain* (2021), as Max Kase
- *Night Raiders* (2021), Executive Producer
- *Free Guy* (2021), as Antwan — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/free-guy.md)
- *What If...?* (2021), series, as Korg (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *Reservation Dogs* (2021), series, Executive Producer, Writer, Creator — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/reservation-dogs.md)
- *The Suicide Squad* (2021), as Ratcatcher
- *Baby Done* (2020), Executive Producer
- *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Westley
- *Russo Bros. Pizza Film School* (2020), series, Actor
- *Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss* (2020), as Storsh
- *The Mandalorian* (2019), series, as IG-12 (voice), IG-12 / IG-11 (voice), IG-11 (voice) · Director — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mandalorian.md)
- *Jojo Rabbit* (2019), as Adolf · Director, Screenplay, Producer — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/jojo-rabbit.md)
- *Year of the Rabbit* (2019), series, as Musician
- *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), as Korg (voice) — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-endgame.md)
- *What We Do in the Shadows* (2019), series, as Viago Von Dorna Schmarten Scheden Heimburg · Executive Producer, Director, Original Film Writer
- *Life of a Cantipanican* (2019), as Zog the Alien
- *Your Name Isn't English* (2018), Executive Producer
- *Shrimp* (2018), as Bartender
- *Wellington Paranormal* (2018), series, Executive Producer, Creator
- *The Breaker Upperers* (2018), Executive Producer
- *Team Darryl* (2018), Writer, Director
- *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017), as Korg (voice) · Director — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok.md)
- *Team Thor: Part 2* (2017), Writer, Director
- *Moana* (2016), Thanks — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/moana.md)
- *Team Thor* (2016), Director, Writer, Producer
- *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* (2016), as Minister · Director, Screenplay, Producer — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople.md)
- *What We Do in the Shadows* (2014), as Viago · Director, Writer, Producer
- *Behind the Lid - Vellington Sign* (2014), as Viago
- *Vampire's Guide to Vellington* (2014), as Viago
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as Glootie (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Blazed* (2013), Director
- *The Captain* (2013), as The Captain · Writer
- *Aroha Bridge* (2013), series, Thanks
- *Green Lantern* (2011), as Tom Kalmaku
- *Super City* (2011), series, Director
- *42 One Dream Rush* (2010), Director
- *Radiradirah* (2010), series, as Various
- *Boy* (2010), as Alamein · Director, Writer
- *Flight of the Conchords* (2007), series, as Gypsy Kings Fan · Director, Writer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/flight-of-the-conchords.md)
- *Eagle vs Shark* (2007), as Gordon · Director, Screenplay, Story, Casting
- *Futile Attraction* (2005), as Waiter
- *Falling Leaves* (2005), as Bodil de Resny · Director, Producer, Writer, Director of Photography, Editor
- *What We Do in the Shadows: Interviews with Some Vampires* (2005), as Viago · Director, Writer, Executive Producer
- *Tama Tū* (2004), Director, Writer
- *Heinous Crime* (2004), Director, Writer, Camera Operator
- *Toy Boy* (2004), as Jack Hammer
- *Two Cars, One Night* (2004), Director, Writer
- *Tongan Ninja* (2002), as Graham (voice)
- *A Place To Stand* (2002), as Vietnam Soldier
- *Life on Ben* (2002), series, as Gloob (voice)
- *The Strip* (2002), series, as Mostin
- *Snakeskin* (2001), as Nelson
- *A New Way Home* (2001), as Max
- *Scarfies* (1999), as Alex
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Taika Waititi / Daerius D'Avignon (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Ways of Loving*, Executive Producer
- *Barn 8*, Director, Producer
- *Tower of Terror*, Director
- *Taika Waiti  Flash Gordon Movie*, Writer, Director
- *James*, Director
- *Untitled Judge Dredd Film*, Director
- *Very Young Frankenstein*, series, Executive Producer, Director
- *Untitled Taika Waititi Star Wars Film*, Director, Screenplay

## Gallery

- ![Taika Waititi](https://film.one/media/person/14972/gallery-ffbb81cd1a6b.jpg) Taika Waititi — Pixoos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Taika_Waititi_photo_by_pouria_afkhami_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Taika_Waititi_photo_by_pouria_afkhami_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Taika Waititi](https://film.one/media/person/14972/gallery-446130ba598b.jpg) Taika Waititi — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 2 nominated

- 2020: Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (won), for *Jojo Rabbit*
- 2020: Best Picture (nominated), for *Jojo Rabbit*
- 2005: Best Live Action Short Film (nominated), for *Two Cars, One Night*

### Other awards — 6 won

- Time 100 2022: Time 100 (won)
- Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit 2020: Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (won)
- Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay 2020: Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (won), for *Jojo Rabbit*
- Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Award 2016: Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate Award (won)
- Wellingtonian of the Year (category award) 2010: Wellingtonian of the Year (category award) (won)
- Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Award 2007: Arts Foundation of New Zealand New Generation Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/taika-waititi